Has Anyone Else Done EMDR On Body Memory?

[Rumors]

So as disgusting as it is, I can feel his hands on me and all of the other disgusting horrible things that he did. I feel it like it was yesterday even though I was a child. Has anyone ever done emdr on those types of things and if so did it help? Was it incredibly difficult? I have so much shame in even thinking about it much less doing emdr on it. It feels out of control and scary. Ugh. Help please

 

[Missycat]

Hi, i absolutely understand how you feel , the shame, feeling disgusting etc etc. I still have the same feelings at times.
I have done emdr on memories that include body memories and it was hard but it did help. I dissociated a lot so we had to take it slow , it did get distressed whilst processing so we ( and still do) flash emdr where i go into the memory very briefly and when i have the body memories we stop after a minute , ground and then work thru gradually. Now if i recall one of those memories its just a memory - no body feelings , no distress etc. My t did something called a ‘body scan’ where we worked from head to toe and processed with emdr any body memories or feelings that were left.
I fully trusted my t and we did a lot of prep and had plans in place to anchor / ground me , so whilst it was hard it did help and was worth the hard work.
I am back doing emdr on some new memories and am hopeful it will be as successful. I hope you are able to find a way to make it work for you. All the best.

 

[Rumors]

@Missycat
Thank you for your reply. It feels so repulsive...

 

[Joan]

I am glad you asked this. I am having same thing and really struggle with what will help. Best wishes.

 

[Freida]

Yep - been doing emdr for about 18 months now. It really, really helps but it is pretty brutal. We do baby steps - which is why I'm still working on it. When it works it is AMAZING. Physical feelings that make me want to cry and puke become unfortunate memories of a past situation that are sad but not bothersome. If you go that route make sure you have a trauma therapist and get your grounding skills solid. Then take it SLOW. Don't try to rush it - take as much time as you need.

It's tough but it is worth it.

 

[Rumors]

Yep - been doing emdr for about 18 months now. It really, really helps but it is pretty brutal. We do baby steps - which is why I'm still working on it. When it works it is AMAZING. Physical feelings that make me want to cry and puke become unfortunate memories of a past situation that are sad but not bothersome. If you go that route make sure you have a trauma therapist and get your grounding skills solid. Then take it SLOW. Don't try to rush it - take as much time as you need.

It's tough but it is worth it.

I have done emdr on stories but not on somatic memories. It's unnerving bc I can literally feel his hand on the back of my neck and worse... ugh

 

[Mr Man]

Yep - been doing emdr for about 18 months now. It really, really helps

Wow, the NHS in my area only offer 12 sessions due to funding pressures, would that be enough ? When you say 18 months, is that weekly ? Is that on insurances ?

To address the first post, I've tried CBT and it helps, but I'm told EMDR does it faster, so just had 3 sessions so far. Not scary, as the Therapist is controlling the speed of it all. Over time my CPTSD has got worse, to the point the scary flashbacks came that seemed omnipresent and wouldn't go back in the box. I've found Therapy helps control the rumination and falshbacks better. EMDR has a good track record, so best of luck.

 

[Freida]

? When you say 18 months, is that weekly ?

Yep. Every week. It's thru the VA so there's not a limit. Guess if they broke me they should have to fix me! I'm pretty sure regular insurance wouldn't pay for that many. I also have a civilian t but I pay for her out of pocket.

 

[Missycat]

@Mr Man , im in the uk and my emdr and therapy has been private, im fortunate that i have private medical cover with my employer, i also self fund if i have double / longer sessions. Even with private insurance my therapist has had to write numerous letters / reports to extend the 12 sessions that are the ‘NICE’ guidelines ( which uk medical proffessionals refer / adhere to) - however the NICE guidelines do not cover complex ptsd . I was advised of a 9 -12 month waiting list for NHS treatment in my area.

 

[Mr Man]

@Missycat Thanks for the feedback. I was on "waiting lists for 10 years. I had to have a serious breakdown, off work 6 months, before I got anything. You're right, they seem clueless about CPTSD, maybe I should present as PTSD and an Army vet, because my local trauma center seems perplexed as to why a child has PTSD.

My CPTSD came from parents with personality disorders (PD), and the first therapist I had, didn't know anything about PD, apparently that's only been taught recently and she qualified a long time ago. But thanks for the feedback. If you know a therapist in the UK with experience of CPTSD and PD, I'd love the referral.

 

[Missycat]

@Mr Man , 10 years - thats awful and scary! Through my employer i was given telephone counselling and that counsellor suggested i see a trauma trained therapist and someone that specialised in child sexual abuse . I found someone who is a consultant pyschologist so definately has the skills, credentials etc. My t relocated as therapy ended last year but i started seeing her again via skype as my symptoms worsened again. I see another local t ( pyschologist ) who is more local every 2 weeks for emdr. Again she is trauma trained. Its difficult for me to reccomend as it depends on which part of the country you are.
Apologies to the originator of the post if its been hijacked - just trying to help.

 

[Rumors]

@Mr Man , .
Apologies to the originator of the post if its been hijacked - just trying to help.

No problem. Just FYI I have done emdr. A lot of it actually but just not on body memory specifically.